Jewish strength and unity: vital and urgent

From across the United States, thousands stood together. Amidst swirling division, fear, and a surge in antisemitism, the Stand Together rally brought Jewish Americans and their allies to Washington, D.C., to voice a unified message. They declared unwavering support for Israel. They stood up for the Jewish people. And they affirmed American values of resilience, unity, and courage.

But was it enough? Perhaps it was. Perhaps it wasn’t. The turnout was inspiring, yes, but it underscored a difficult truth: We need more. More voices. More action. More courage. The turnout was strong, but it could have been even stronger. And that’s on all of us. At a moment when antisemitism flares like a virus, complacency is no longer an option. If we don’t answer the call, who will?

Unity at a Pivotal Time for America

This rally didn’t happen in isolation. It came just days after a heated, divisive U.S. election that forced many of us out of our comfort zones. It was exhausting—sure. But necessary. It reminded us that, as Americans, we can rise above our differences. That the values of democracy, liberty, and community protection are worth holding onto, no matter the cost.

Division is a luxury we cannot afford right now. When we fracture, we weaken ourselves. And we embolden those who would see us divided. Stand Together offered a moment of clarity amidst the noise—a call to set aside the petty squabbling. To show up for each other. To do the work of tikkun olam. Repairing the world starts here, now, with us.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Dorchinsky, founder of the Atlanta Israel Coalition (AIC).

Facing Down Antisemitism—Wherever It Rears Its Head

This is not the first time in history that antisemitism has boiled to the surface. But in recent weeks, the fever pitch has been impossible to ignore. The echoes of hatred that began long ago and declared their presence with such terror on October 7th have continued to reverberate across the globe. In the Netherlands and Greece, pogroms brought violence that could have been torn from the darkest pages of history. In New York and Chicago, we’ve seen a resurgence of ugly hostility. On most of our college campuses, Jews aren’t safe and vitriol wins the day.

And here we are, a few days past memorializing Kristallnacht, only to see history glaring back at us from today’s headlines. The horror of Nazi brutality isn’t a distant memory anymore; it’s a warning call.

If you ever wondered which of your neighbors would have stood against the Nazis and their regime of terror, wonder no more. That time is now. And while we are fortunate to have allies, the truth is we can no longer depend on the “silent majority.” Silence now is complicity. We must be louder than hate. Bolder than the bigotry that rises around us.

Education as Our Defense: Confronting Modern-Day Holocaust Denial

The hate we confront today isn’t always blatant. Sometimes it’s subtle, insidious. Sometimes it hides behind the academic walls of our campuses or the polished words of political rhetoric. But make no mistake antisemitism in all of its foul forms—especially the modern Holocaust-denial, whether through inversion, minimization, or outright denial of October 7th—is alive and dangerous. That’s why I wrote Defending Destiny: Israel, Antisemitism, & the Fight for Legitimacy. To confront these twisted narratives head-on.

In my book, I lay bare the disturbing rise of antisemitism in new forms and offer ways to combat it. Defending Destiny is more than a book; it’s a rallying cry for Jews across the globe and allies who refuse to stay silent. As the rally reminded us, education is our weapon. Awareness is our shield.

The Call for Unity: Now, Not Tomorrow

Stand Together’s message was clear: Unity is not about perfect agreement. It’s about standing together when it counts most. As actress Tiffany Haddish said at the event, “Unity isn’t about agreeing on everything; it’s about standing together when it matters. And now, it matters most.” She’s right. Now is the time. This is the moment.

So here’s my plea: To the Jewish community, our allies, and those with a conscience. Join us. Let’s set aside policy differences to show a unified front. Stand up to hate—both the venom directed outwardly and the hostility that divides us internally. Let’s make it clear that, no matter what, our unity is unbreakable.

The stakes have never been higher. And Stand Together was a powerful reminder that only through unity can we effectively confront and overcome the threats to our safety, dignity, and way of life.

For those who stood that day, the fight is far from over. The stand continues. Defending Destiny is part of that fight. Join us, and let’s write a future worthy of our shared heritage.